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Qatar Airways said it will no longer pursue buying a stake in American Airlines, contending “the investment no longer meets our objectives.” Qatar Airways surprised the global airline industry in June when it announced its intention to acquire up to a 10% stake in American valued at about US$800m. American made no secret of its discomfort with the proposed unsolicited bid. “Qatar Airways has taken the decision not to proceed with its proposed passive financial investment in American Airlines,” Qatar Airways said. “Further review of the proposed financial investment, taking into account the latest public disclosure of American Airlines, has demonstrated that the investment no longer meets our objectives." It is unclear what Qatar Airways is referring to in regard to American’s “latest public disclosure.” <br/>

It was a rocky start for passengers flying British Airways out of 2 of London's major hubs Wednesday morning as they attempted to check in for their flights. Travellers at Heathrow and Gatwick airports were met by long lines and scenes described as "chaotic," thanks to an information technology-related check-in system problem. Passengers had to be checked in manually. After a few hours, British Airways said customers were being "checked in as normal." But that was small consolation for passengers who said they had missed their flight. This comes after British Airways was forced to apologise in May when tens of thousands of passengers were stranded at Heathrow and Gatwick airports amid another IT systems failure that led to canceled flights. <br/>